Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
apology
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
appeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its appeal is made to orderly minds.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
broom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
collected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
collection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
considerations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
covers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its appeal is made to orderly minds.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its appeal is made to orderly minds.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its appeal is made to orderly minds.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its appeal is made to orderly minds.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
orderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its appeal is made to orderly minds.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
premature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
process
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
tidying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
unbroken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
unworthiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, to be frank about it, is a process of tidying up, which, from the nature of things, cannot be regarded as premature.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I don't know whether I ought to offer an apology for this collection which has more to do with life than with letters.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Of course it may be said that I might have taken up a broom and used it without saying anything about it.
worthiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact is that I wanted to do it myself because of a feeling that had nothing to do with the considerations of worthiness or unworthiness of the small (but unbroken) pieces collected within the covers of this volume.
